Writer, blogger, troublemaker

The top 5 things to do in Nottingham

I recently moved back to my home city of Nottingham, which has been a bit of a strange experience after living in London for 6 years. But I’ve been lucky to find myself a job as Lead Copywriter at a brilliant ad agency, and after 6 months in the ‘ham, I’m finding out all the best things to do here. It’s a beautiful and historical city that people just don’t think to visit.

So here’s my top 5 list of things you must do, see and experience when you come and visit Nottingham. Which you should. (Drink with me optional).

1. Annie’s Burger Shack – more than 30 unbelievably creative and delicious burgers. They have vegan and veggie versions of everything, and some of the recipes are ridiculous. My top 3 Annie’s Burger Shack burgers:

Annie’s books up very very quickly, so book in advance or hope you get one of the walk-in seats.

2.Boilermaker. A bar that should probably be in Dalston. Very easy to miss on the grounds that it has no name and looks like a boiler shop. Go in, ignore the boilers on the wall, ask the person at the desk for a table for however many people and hope it’s not too busy – obviously Friday and Saturday nights are the most rammed. When you’re offered a table, go through the door to the right of the reception desk, which takes you into a bathroom – push the sink and you’re in the bar. The cocktails are predictably off-the-wall and served in various impressive ways – with popcorn, candy floss, and in a paper bag streaming with smoke, among others.The menu changes often but my current favourite is:

3. Pitcher & Piano. Yes, it’s a chain, but Nottingham has the best one. It’s in a converted church (mmm, sacrelicious). It sounds impressive, it looks good in pictures – but the reality is even better. This place will take your breath away. Do not miss.

4. Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem pub. One of the oldest and most famous pubs in the country, set in the side of a cliff with a Nottingham Castle on top. The castle is OK, but nothing special as castles go – the pub is awesome. Go in, order a drink at the bar and then go up the stairs to the room that is literally a little cave – it’s fairly easy to find and has gauntlets and swords on the wall. Drinking in a ancient cave is an experience no one should miss. Again, photo doesn’t do it justice.

5. Wollaton Hall – this was Wayne Manor (Batman’s house) in The Dark Knight Rises. It’s also pretty beautiful and set in a huge park with free-roaming deer.

Between this and our local hero, I like to say that Nottingham has both Batman and Robin.